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Lesser Whistling-duck, Sunda Woodpecker, Lace Woodpecker, Common Golden-back, Coppersmith Barbet, Common Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher & Collared Kingfisher.

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Banded Bay Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo, Asian Koel, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Long-tailed Parakeet & Collared Scops-owl.

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Jerdons Baza, Black Baza, Brahminy Kite, Himalayan Vulture, Changeable Hawk-eagle & Peregrine Falcon.

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Last Update: 9 January 2008

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A selection of some of the best birdwatching sites in Singapore is included in this section. Information given includes a description of the sites


Hindhede Quarry Bukit Timah Nature Reserve	Click for full size view

Located in the centre of Singapore is Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, an area of primary and secondary forests atop Singapores highest hill, the 163-metre high Bukit Timah. Covering some 164 hectares, Bukit Timahs forest is dominated by tall forest trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae. Over 140 species have been recorded at this site but birding is difficult due to the dense foliage and height of these trees but the persistent birder may be rewarded by gripping views of migrant pittas, thrushes and flycatchers as well as some of the rare residents such as Red-crowned Barbet, Asian Fairy-bluebird and Hill Myna.


Hooded Pitta	Photo Paul Huang	Asian Fairy-bluebird (Male)	Photo Paul Huang

Specialities

Glossy Swiftlet, Ruddy Kingfisher (Oct-Mar), Jambu Fruit-dove, Red-legged Crake, Malayan Night-heron (Oct-Mar), Hooded Pitta (Nov-Jan), Lesser Cuckoo-shrike, Scarlet Minivet, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher (Nov-Feb), White-throated Rock-thrush (Nov-Mar), Blue Rock-thrush (Dec), Orange-headed (Nov-Mar) and Siberian (Oct-Dec) Thrushes, Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher, Buff-vented and Streaked Bulbuls (Nov-Jan), Thick-billed (Dec) and Yellow-vented Flowerpeckers.

Other Species

Rufous, Banded and Laced Woodpeckers, Common Flameback, Lineated, Red-crowned and Coppersmith Barbets, Dollarbird, Blue-tailed (Sep-Mar) and Blue-throated Bee-eaters, Indian Cuckoo (Oct-Mar), Banded Bay Cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Blue-rumped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, House Swift, Brown-backed Needletail (Sep-Mar), Collared Scops-owl, Brown Hawk-owl, Emerald Dove, Pink-necked and Thick-billed Green-pigeons, Osprey, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Fish-eagle, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Japanese Sparrowhawk (Sep-Apr), Schrencks Bittern (Sep-Apr), Blue-winged Pitta (Sep-Apr), Asian Fairy-bluebird, Lesser Green and Blue-winged Leafbirds, Tiger Shrike, Large-billed Crow, Crow-billed and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Jul-Apr), Dark-sided (Sep-Mar), Asian Brown (Aug-Apr), Ferruginous (Sep-Mar), Yellow-rumped (Sep-Nov), Mugimaki (Oct-Dec) and Blue-and-white (Nov-Feb) Flycatchers, Siberian Blue Robin (Sep-May), Asian Glossy and Purple-backed (Sep-Apr) Starlings, Javan and Hill Mynas, Barn (Jul-May) and Pacific Swallows, Straw-headed, Black-crested, Yellow-vented, Olive-winged, Cream-vented, Red-eyed and Ashy Bulbuls (Sep-Apr), Common, Dark-necked and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds, Arctic and Eastern Crowned Warblers, Abbotts and Short-tailed Babblers, Striped Tit-babbler, Orange-bellied and Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers, Plain-throated, Purple-throated and Crimson Sunbirds, Little Spiderhunter and Forest Wagtail (Sep-Apr).

Strategy

You may walk the road up the summit or try one of many trails within the park. The summit is worth monitoring for fruiting fig trees that attracts a variety of frugivorous birds as well as migrant passerines between September and April. The cycling track that goes round the reserve is also worth birding but watch out for the cyclists! This track yields some fruit orchard species like Common Flameback and Laced Woodpecker as well as the globally threatened Straw-headed Bulbul.

Access

If driving, turn off the PIE at the Bukit Timah Exit, past Beauty World Shopping Centre and turn into Hindhede Road. The reserve is located at the other end of Hindhede Road. You may park at car at the main car park (free) situated next to the Visitor Centre at the end of Hindhede Road. Note that parking is usually full on weekends and public holidays. The Centre has educational displays, a rangers post, a souvenir shop and toilets.

Together with Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Central Catchment Nature Reserve comprises the last of Singapores rainforests. Much of the 1,600 hectares of the Central Catchment is secondary forest with pockets of old growth forests. This reserve is separated from Bukit Timah by a six-lane expressway and also criss-crossed by service roads, abandoned plantations, golf courses and 4 reservoirs. Over 170 species have been recorded from the Central Catchment and birding is much easier due to the more open and less hilly terrain. Although already a local birders favourite forest birding site, current and future plans to increase access and provide more amenities such as boardwalks, trail-maps, viewing towers and canopy walkways will increase its popularity.

Click for full size view


Orange-bellied Flowerpecker	Photo Paul Huang	Greater Racket-tailed Drongo	Photo Paul Huang

Specialities

White-bellied Woodpecker, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Long-tailed Parakeet, Buffy Fish-owl, Spotted Wood-owl, Malaysian Eared-nightjar, Jambu Fruit-dove, Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Crested Serpent-eagle, Black-thighed Falconet, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher, Black-headed Bulbul and White-chested Babbler.

Other Species

Rufous, Banded and Laced Woodpeckers, Common Flameback, Red-crowned and Coppersmith Barbets, Dollarbird, Common, Black-backed, Stork-billed, Ruddy, White-throated, Black-capped and Collared Kingfishers, Blue-tailed (Sep-Mar) and Blue-throated Bee-eaters, Indian Cuckoo (Oct-Mar), Violet Cuckoo, Drongo Cuckoo, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Blue-rumped Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, House and Fork-tailed Swifts, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Collared Scops-owl, Brown Hawk-owl, Grey and Large-tailed Nightjars, Emerald Dove, Pink-necked and Thick-billed Green-pigeons, Osprey, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Fish-eagle, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Japanese Sparrowhawk (Sep-Apr), Peregrine Falcon, Schrencks Bittern (Sep-Apr), Blue-winged Pitta (Sep-Apr), Asian Fairy-bluebird, Lesser Green and Blue-winged Leafbirds, Tiger Shrike, House and Large-billed Crows, Black-naped Oriole, Crow-billed, Ashy and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Jul-Apr), Dark-sided (Sep-Mar), Asian Brown (Aug-Apr), Ferruginous (Sep-Mar), Yellow-rumped (Sep-Nov), Mugimaki (Oct-Dec) and Blue-and-white (Nov-Feb) Flycatchers, Siberian Blue Robin (Sep-May), Oriental Magpie-robin, White-rumped Shama, Asian Glossy and Purple-backed (Sep-Apr) Starlings, Javan and Hill Mynas, Barn (Jul-May) and Pacific Swallows, Straw-headed, Black-crested, Yellow-vented, Olive-winged, Cream-vented, Red-eyed and Ashy Bulbuls (Sep-Apr), Common, Dark-necked and Rufous-tailed Tailorbirds, Arctic and Eastern Crowned Warblers, Abbotts, Short-tailed and Chestnut-winged Babblers, Striped Tit-babbler, Orange-bellied and Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers, Plain-throated, Purple-throated and Crimson Sunbirds, Little Spiderhunter and Forest Wagtail (Sep-Apr).

Strategy

At Sime Forest, bird the Sime and Golf Trails leading eventually to MacRitchie Reservoir. A whole range of forest species can be seen here and some local birders think this is the route that offers the best forest birding in Singapore. This is especially true in the migratory season (Sep-Apr) when rarities such as Oriental Cuckoo, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher, and Mugimaki and Blue-and-white Flycatchers turn up. Rare residents such as White-bellied Woodpecker, Blue-eared Kingfisher and White-rumped Shama also frequent these trails. At Upper Peirce, bird the road from the access road leading from Old Upper Thomson Road to the reservoir. You can expect a range of forest and woodland species including Red-crowned Barbet, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Short-tailed Babbler and Purple-throated Sunbird. At Upper Seletar, bird the road from Carpark A to the end of access road to the dam. You should see a mix of both garden and forest species as well as the occasional feral Oriental Pied Hornbills and the rare Crested Serpent-eagle, if lucky.

Access

Access to the catchment forests may be from any of the following points: Island Club Road, Old Upper Thomson Road or Mandai Track 7.

(1) Island Club Road (MacRitchie or Sime Forest)

From Upper Thomson Road and Venus Drive junction, walk to Island Club Road all the way to the end, turning left before the steep slope leading to the golf club. You will reach a cross junction with the golf greens on your right. Turn right here. The road will end at the Bukit Kalang Service Reservoir. You can start your walk right here using the concrete path on the left of the gate. If driving, take the PIE and exit at Ang Mo Kio Ave 1. At the end of this avenue, turn left into Upper Thomson Road, and then right into Venus Drive, then Island Club Road (details as above). Park near the Service Reservoir gate, taking care not to obstruct traffic.

(2) Old Upper Thomson Road (Upper Peirce Forest)

Walk along Old Upper Thomson Road until you the reservoir access road (and PUB sign) on your left. You may bird from here to the end of the access road. If driving, take the PIE and exit at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. At the end, turn right into Upper Thomson Road and at the Yio Chu Kang Road, turn left and then right into Old Upper Thomson Road, and then turning left into the access road. There is no parking space along the access road, so you will have to park at the reservoir at end of the road.

(3) Mandai Track 7 (Upper Seletar Forest)

At the junction of Mandai Road and Mandai Track 7, walk in and start birding once you are past the golf course. If driving, take the SLE and exit at Mandai Road. Track 7 is near the major junction with Upper Thomson Road. There is ample (free) parking near the tower.

Sungei Buloh is located in the north-west corner of Singapore. Though open since 1989, it was only declared a reserve in 2001. Its Singapores only protected wetlands and is home to over 180 species of birds. Sungei Buloh covers some 87 hectares and includes mangroves, mudflats, ponds, secondary forests and grassland. There is a Visitor Centre and a well-designed system of trails, boardwalks, hides and towers. Waterbirds congregate mainly at the ponds, exposed mudflats, rivers and the coast. Watch out for the massive Water Monitors and tame Red Junglefowls.


Location map Click for full size view	Site map Click for full size view


Copper-throated Sunbird	Photo Lim Kim Chuah

Specialities

Masked Finfoot (Jan), Asian Dowitcher (Aug-Apr), Chinese Egret (Sep-Apr), Parasitic Jaeger (Feb), Blue-throated Flycatcher (Nov), Copper-throated Sunbird and Javan Munia.

Other Species

Lesser Whistling-duck, Garganey, Sunda, Rufous and Laced Woodpeckers, Common Flameback, Dollarbird, Common, Stork-billed, White-throated and Black-capped Kingfishers, Blue-throated and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Sep-Apr), Banded Bay, Plaintive and Rusty-breasted Cuckoos, Little Bronze-cuckoo, Asian Koel, Greater and Lesser Coucals, Fork-tailed and House Swifts, Collared Scops-owl, Large-tailed Nightjar, Spotted, Emerald and Zebra Doves, Pink-necked Green-pigeon, Slaty-breasted Rail, White-breasted Waterhen, White-browed Crake, Watercock, Common Moorhen, Pintail and Common Snipes, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Marsh, Wood, Terek, Common, Curlew and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, Great Knot, Rufous-necked and Long-toed Stints, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Pacific Golden-plover, Common and Little Ringed Plovers, Mongolian and Greater Sand-plovers, Oriental Pratincole, Gull-billed, Little and White-winged Terns, Osprey, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Black-winged and Brahminy Kites, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Little, Great, Intermediate and Cattle Egrets, Grey, Purple and Striated Herons, Black-crowned Night-heron, Yellow, Cinnamon and Black Bitterns, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Tiger and Brown Shrikes, Mangrove Whistler, House and Large-billed Crows, Black-naped Oriole, Pied Triller, Ashy Minivet, Pied Fantail, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Common Iora, Asian Brown and Yellow-rumped Flycatchers, Oriental Magpie-robin, Asian Glossy and Purple-backed Starlings, Common and Javan Mynas, Barn, Pacific and Red-rumped Swallows, Yellow-vented and Olive-winged Bulbuls, Zitting Cisticola, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Oriental White-eye, Pallass and Arctic Warblers, Oriental Reed-warbler, Common, Rufous-tailed and Ashy Tailorbirds, White-chested and Abbotts Babblers, Striped Tit-babbler, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Plain-throated, Olive-backed and Crimson Sunbirds, Eurasian Tree-sparrow, Forest Wagtail, Paddyfield Pipit, Baya Weaver, Scaly-breasted Munia.

Strategy

The carpark itself is good for many garden and open country species, especially in the early morning and late evening. Look for Laced Woodpecker, Brown Shrike, Oriental Magpie-robin, Abbotts Babbler and Yellow-bellied Prinia. Javan Munias hang out at the Visitor Centres pots of ferns. The main bridge over Sungei Buloh Besar is a good vantage point for finding kingfishers, egrets, herons and (depending on tide) shorebirds. Take Route 1 for a good 2-3 hours walk through mangrove and freshwater and brackish wetland habitats. Hide 1A is a good place to look for the commoner shorebirds.

Access

This reserve is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. There is a $1 entry charge for adults and 50 cents for children and senior citizens. If taking the MRT, alight at Kranji MRT Station and take TIBS Service 925 from outside the station. (Please check to made sure there is no change) This service is the only bus that comes here. It comes directly to the carpark on Sundays and public holidays; otherwise it stops at Kranji Dam and you will have to walk some 15 minutes to reach the park entrance. If driving, get off the BKE at the Turf Club Exit, going into Kranji Way. At the end of Kranji Way, turn left into Kranji Loop. Once past the dam, look for a left turn into Neo Tiew Crescent. The reserve entrance and carpark is at the end of this road.

Site map Click for full size view

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Photo Paul Huang

Pulau Ubin is located off the north-eastern corner of Singapore. Its a composite of mangroves, woods, plantations, fruit orchards, grassland and coasts, and as such boasts a list of over 180 species. The island is slight over 1,000 hectares in size and rather low-lying. The western part of the island is run by Outward Bound Singapore and out of bounds to the public. However, there are ample trails on the rest of the island to afford the birder an interesting morning or full-day walk. Pulau Ubin has two very special birds which are not found anywhere else in Singapore. These are the Red Junglefowl and Oriental Pied Hornbill. Most Singapore birders find birding in the 1950s style houses and rural setting, very relaxing and its no surprise that Ubin is a favourite spot for many birders and nature lovers.

Specialities

Red Junglefowl, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Buffy Fish-owl, Spotted Wood-owl, Cinnamon-headed Green-pigeon, Jambu Fruit-dove, Red-legged Crake, Crested Goshawk, Chinese Egret (Oct-Apr), Great-billed Heron, Swinhoes Storm-petrel, Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Whistler, Black-naped Monarch, Mangrove Blue-flycatcher, Oriental Magpie-robin, White-rumped Shama, Straw-headed Bulbul, Copper-throated Sunbird, Yellow-eared Spiderhunter.

Other Species

Barred Buttonquail, Sunda, Banded (rare) and Laced Woodpeckers, Common Flameback, Dollarbird, Common, Stork-billed, White-throated, Black-capped (Sep-Apr) and Collared Kingfishers, Blue-throated and Blue-tailed (Sep-Mar) Bee-eaters, Banded Bay, Plaintive, Rusty-breasted and Violet (rare) Cuckoos, Little Bronze-cuckoo, Asian Koel, Greater and Lesser Coucals, Rose-ringed, Red-breasted and Long-tailed Parakeets, Asian Palmswift, Fork-tailed and House Swifts, Collared Scops-owl, Brown Hawk-owl, Large-tailed and Savanna Nightjars, Rock Pigeon, Spotted Dove, Red Collared-dove, Emerald and Zebra Doves, Pink-necked Green-pigeon, White-breasted Waterhen, Watercock, Pintail Snipe, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Marsh, Wood, Terek, Common, Curlew and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstone, Great Knot, Rufous-necked and Long-toed Stints, Pacific Golden-plover, Little Ringed, Mongolian and Greater Sand Plovers, Common Black-headed Gull, Lesser and Great Crested-terns, Black-naped, Common, Little, Bridled and White-winged Terns, Osprey, Black Baza, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Black-winged and Brahminy Kites, White-bellied Fish-eagle, Crested Serpent-eagle, Chinese Goshawk, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Little, Pacific Reef, Great and Intermediate Egrets, Grey and Purple Herons, Chinese Pond-heron, Striated Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Yellow, Schrencks, Cinnamon and Black Bitterns, Blue-winged Pitta, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Tiger and Brown Shrikes, House and Large-billed Crows, Black-naped Oriole, Pied Triller, Ashy Minivet, Pied Fantail, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Common Iora, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Siberian Blue-robin, Asian Glossy and Purple-backed Starlings, Common, Javan and Hill Mynas, Barn, Pacific and Red-rumped Swallows, Black-headed (rare), Red-whiskered, Yellow-vented, Olive-winged and Ashy Bulbuls, Zitting Cisticola, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Oriental White-eye, Oriental Reed-warbler, Common, Dark-necked, Rufous-tailed and Ashy Tailorbirds, Pallass and Arctic Warblers, Abbotts Babbler, Striped Tit-babbler, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Plain-throated, Purple-throated, Olive-backed and Crimson Sunbirds, Eurasian Tree-sparrow, Forest and Grey Wagtails, Paddyfield Pipit, White-rumped, Javan, Scaly-breasted, Black-headed and White-headed Munias.

Strategy

Bird any of the numerous small roads leading from Ubin main jetty. One good route takes you through plantations, orchards and woods to Kampong Nordin beach in the north. It is particularly good for Red Junglefowl, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Oriental Magpie-robin and Straw-headed Bulbul. Maps and brochures are obtainable for the information kiosk near the jetty. On the ferry ride from Changi Jetty to the island, scan the seas for terns and other seabirds. Great Crested and Little Terns are common but occasional rarities such as Bridled Tern and Swinhoes Storm-petrel have been sighted on ferry trips.

Access

From the Changi Village Bus Terminal, it is a short walk to the jetty. If driving from the city, take the ECP and turn out at the Changi Village Exit (near Tanah Merah Flyover) into Changi Coast Road and Nicholl Drive. There is ample parking at PA Adventure Club (free) and Lorong Bekukong (paid). Ferry ride is $2 ($1 for children below 12) each way. Bicycles may be rented from shops located near the jetty at Pulau Ubin.

Site map Click for full size view

Singapores oldest and most attractive garden located in the heart of the city. It includes a 6 ha remnant rainforest, herbarium and a Visitor Centre. You can expect many of Singapores garden birds here and so this is a good place for both resident and visiting birders to look for and get used to the commoner birds. There are a few surprises however to find and these include Stork-billed Kingfisher, Long-tailed Parakeet, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Spotted Wood-owl and Oriental Magpie-robin. Beware of ornamentals such as Black and Mute Swans, Muscovy Duck and Mallard and other exotics such as Great Hornbill, Red and Rainbow Lorikeets, and even Lesser Bird-of-paradise! The Gardens can be crowded on weekends and public holidays.


Orange-headed Thrush	Photo Paul Huang	Stork-billed Kingfisher	Photo Paul Huang

Specialities

Tanimbar Cockatoo, Long-tailed Parakeet, Spotted Wood-owl, Red-legged Crake, Crested Goshawk and Oriental Magpie-robin.

Other Species

Lesser Whistling-duck, Sunda, Rufous and Banded Woodpeckers, Dollarbird, Common, Stork-billed, White-throated and Collared Kingfishers, Blue-throated and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, Indian, Banded Bay, Plaintive and Violet Cuckoos, Asian Koel, Greater Coucal, Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Red-breasted and Rose-ringed Parakeets, Asian Palmswift, Fork-tailed and House Swifts, Grey-rumped Treeswift, Collared Scops-owl, Spotted Wood-owl, Large-tailed Nightjar, Spotted, Emerald and Zebra Doves, Pink-necked Green-pigeon, White-breasted Waterhen, Common Sandpiper, Black Baza, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Fish-eagle, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Little and Cattle Egrets, Striated Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Yellow Bittern, Golden-bellied Gerygone, Tiger and Brown Shrikes, House and Large-billed Crows, Black-naped Oriole, Pied Triller, Ashy Minivet, Common Iora, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Siberian Blue-robin, Asian Glossy and Purple-backed Starlings, Common, Javan and Hill Mynas, Barn and Pacific Swallows, Red-whiskered, Yellow-vented and Olive-winged Bulbuls, Common and Dark-necked Tailorbirds, Arctic Warbler, Abbotts Babbler, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Plain-throated and Olive-backed Sunbirds, Eurasian Tree-sparrow, Forest Wagtail, Javan and Scaly-breasted Munias.

Strategy

Bird in the early morning or late evening, if possible on weekdays as the Gardens can be crowded on weekends and public holidays. The lakes are good spots to look for kingfishers, waterhens and herons.

Access

It is located at Napier Road/Cluny Road junction. If driving from the city, take Orchard Boulevard to Napier Road, turn into Cluny Road following brown signs stating Botanic Gardens. At the junction with Nassim Road, turn left into the Gardens Visitor Centre (where there are cafes, bookshops and toilets. There is ample (free) parking at the Visitor Centre although parking may be a problem on weekends and public holidays.